In all cases, intent to kill or harm is irrelevant. In criminal law, the attempted battery type of assault requires a Specific Intent to commit battery. An intent to frighten will not suffice for this form of assault. There can be no assault if the act does not produce a true apprehension of harm in the victim. There must be a reasonable fear of injury.
Cholinergic receptors are found throughout the nervous system. Acetylcholine molecules bind themselves to the receptor molecules on the cells of the receptors. Cholinergenic receptors are sensitive to nicotine. Nicotine stimulates the part of the autonomic system that reacts to stress factors. Cholinergic receptors control certain responses that occur in the prostate.
The nicotinic receptors are considered cholinergic receptors, since they respond to acetylcholine. Nicotinic receptors get their name from nicotine, which does not stimulate the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, but instead selectively binds to the nicotinic receptor. The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor likewise gets its name from a chemical that selectively attaches to that receptor -- muscarine.